Erdogan is in power since 2003. He's an islamist and has never claimed otherwise. His turn to more islamism has nothing to do with the west. He figures it's the way to become a sultan.

It was Erdogan's Turkey back then that was praised by some in the West for being the perfect example of how Islam and Democracy can go hand in hand. Do you people think he became a madman overnight? Erdogan is just a tool installed into the Prime Minister's seat by the West to do their biddings in the M.E, "Democracy" was never on their agenda. That "perfect example" was just a farce. He only became the "tyrant", "dictator" in their eyes when he turned his back on them.

The hypocrisy from the West is astounding.

As a sidenote, I agree with everything Saltee said.

Edit: I do not disagree that he is a tyrant with dictatorial tendencies, just pointing out the hypocrisy.